Crossroads Exhibition during NZ Safety Week

Crossroads is a special black and white photographic exhibition featuring roadside crosses (which mark road deaths) and it’s coming to Franklin. You can visit this beautiful and harrowing exhibition for free at Franklin: The Centre during New Zealand Safety Week (beginning on the first of September).

The exhibition has been brought to Franklin by Franklin District Council. Franklin: The Centre will be the second, and last, Auckland location to have the privilege of showing the exhibit before it leaves the Region.

John Robinson, the artist, is also a member of the Canterbury Highway Patrol. His ‘day job’ is to reduce the number of accidents caused on Canterbury roads through enforcing speed and alcohol limits and minimising other illegal or dangerous driver behaviour.

“The road toll affects us all. We have all lost people we know through road collisions. The hurt, the grief and the sad anniversaries last for ever. This exhibition [is] about the sad reality of our beautiful country, lined with tragic reminders,” says John.

As part of its role, Franklin District Council provides a Road Safety Coordinator to organise road safety education and promotion initiatives. The Crossroads exhibition stood out as an excellent opportunity to bring the real cost of road crashes home.

“These crosses take on a different meaning when you stop and stand in front of one of John’s photos. Through art he has been able to capture the heart of the despair and the needless loss they represent. It is a powerful and beautiful exhibition and we are proud to be able to bring it free to Franklin,” says Franklin District Council’s Road Safety Coordinator, Monique Haines.